Up already before 6 am, went with aussie Rob Pollard to collect our bikes from the port. Arrived almost first. In the queue for customs declaration I met many “rally friends” like the VW-team, portuguese BMW-riders Paolo Goncalves (10th in Dakar2009) and Pedro Bianchi, and also Rally Raid UK and Team Scandinavia. Rob had arranged with a truck to pick up his bike and some other big boxes, so I also loaded my bike in the truck instead of riding the 100 kms back to BA, in drizzle.

Image: Rob and wife Alana

Back in town we unloaded the bikes and all the tyres, equipment etc in a warehouse. There was also biker #5 Rodrigues assembling his yammie 450, and treating us with pizza – that is sportmanship!

When unpacking the tyres an ant colony started marching from the tyre pile, and the next minute we found another free passenger – a lizard! Poor little thing must have crawled into the tyres when shipped from Singapore!

All the aussie equipment were loaded on their 2 backup vehicles (4 wheel drive), amazed how everything somehow was stuffed in and on top. Then back to hotel in frantic BA traffic and some more prepping.